We kept our old fridge in the basement just for produce. I finished last year's carrots last month, and they were still perfect. I also don't like canned carrots, so I was thrilled to discover they could last in the fridge by doing nothing but chopping the greens and tossing in a grocery bag.
That's exactly how I store mine. Still working on last year's harvest of 170 pounds. I haven't had to purchase a carrot in a couple of decades. Store cabbages and leeks the same way, although I wrap my cabbages in saran wrap thoroughly.
Hi …I noticed the fly sticky trap hanging by your sink,……I worked in a restaurant and we of coarse had flys with a open patio in back by the kitchen…..the health dept made us take them down because they give off a toxic chemical…..they said. So we had to put up plastic bags with some water and some copper pennies to keep flys away….we also took plastic containers and put some raw hamburger or sweet fruit and poked some holes for the flys to get in it…they’d drown in the soapy water in the bottom…..then we just threw the recycled container away and made fresh every couple of days…..gnats we’re really bad around the outside bar because of pop and beer spills……the old trap for that is a dish of red wine or vinegar with a little soap in it….and bleach in sink traps because they reproduce quickly in them
Just a suggestion for your mice problem in the garage that I learned from my dear dad: If you have a radio playing music at all times 24/7/365 you won’t have a rodent problem. They don’t like the noise and thus won’t cone to live there. After my dad passed I turned off the radio and rodents came back. The radio went back on again and has been on ever since.
For salad I used the paper towel method and a variation of it so 2 comments: - I spin the salad to make sure it as dry as possible before I roll it out - I used both paper towels and fabric kitchen towel. The fabric works great too!!! If you need to keep it even longer you can roll it up and put it in a freezer bag, that works too
For lettuce I personally wash and wrap it in clean dish cloths before putting it in an air-tight container. So its basically the same idea just costs less since I'm using reusable items.
I wash my lettuce in ice cold water. Spin it dryThen I put it in a plastic container with kitchen paper at the bottom seal it up and put it in the fridge. Works a treat.
I am so looking forward to harvesting season. We are still a month to go yet for most things. Really enjoyed this video. Thanks so much for sharing 🇨🇦🌷
What a lot of work, just to coordinate all that preserving. I really loved your video! This is my first year with a freeze dryer and a canner. I don’t preserve as much as you, but I do feel very “accomplished”, and blessed, for everything I have preserved. I must be doing something right as I am going to pick up a second shelving unit tomorrow! 😂
I chuckled at the “second shelving unit” that is so relatable! You’re doing fantastic! No matter how much or little, it’s an accomplishment and one to feel proud of. What a gift. Thanks for watching, blessings 🤍
Try putting your carrots in a simple vinegar pickle and water bath can. I use 1 cup of vinegar for every 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. When I need to use them I drain them, rinse them, and add them to what ever meal I'm preparing.
Another way to preserve your lettuce is to pull the entire plant, including the root ball and store it in the fridge in a bowl with water on the bottom to keep the roots alive.
What do you do with the dried petunias and yarrow flowers? I assumed when you picked them, they were destined for decorating a salad but no - you freeze dried them and I'm so curious. How do you clean your nut bags after using them? I suppose washing machine but just wondered. Thank you so much for your videos - such inspiration!
You're the busy little ant at SandS Homestead gathering food for the winter for your family like the Proverbs 31 woman, spouse and mother that you are! The freeze dried flowers are so beautiful. I wish I could justify the cost of a freeze dryer, but I can't just for the 2 of us! I'm so glad you shared a way to preserve celery, I've got some growing and wasn't sure what i should do to preserve it. Does it come back or does it have to be planted every year? Kelsey, have you checked the cost of 1/2 gallon jars through Azure? Y'all are living a very blessed life Kelsey!! ♥
Awww thank you friend! The freeze dryer was a hefty investment, I can understand the wisdom in refraining from purchasing one if it won’t be used a great deal. It’s been a great tool for us here. Celery is an annual and must be started again each spring. I like to start it indoors for an early harvest. I’ll look into Azure, hadn’t thought of that! Thank you again. ☺️🤍🤍🤍
Another good one to encourage me in my current preserving state which looks much like yours minus the freeze drying, i do not have one yet. I'd be interested in hearing more about your diet and what type of things you are eating. If thats not a direction you want to go i understand. Many blessings!
You’re an inspiration! Thank you for sharing all of your tips and tricks. I’m new to pressure canning, and also feeling nervous and out of my depth. So thank your for all the info. I’m interested in the salves and soaps you’ll be making with your flowers. Will that possibly be in a future video? 😊
Thank you Erin! You can do it! I have an in depth look at pressure canning a ways back If that helps! I know it’s intimidating at first. Once you get started and learn to trust yourself and trust the canner it’s a breeze. You bet! I’ll have lots of salves and soaps making happening closer to the fall when the garden settles down ☺️
The flowers look amazing and I was very surprised to hear you say that the scent was still strong. What an amazing tool the freeze dryer is. I am very excited to give mine a try very soon. The beets were so pretty. A lot was accomplished from your harvest Kelsey. Well done!
That freeze dryer is such a blessing! I was surprised when I opened the door and was hit with the scents of those flowers! It was powerful. Thank you friend, Blessings!
I preserved my lettuce exactly as you are doing with no problems, although, it only lasted a month at best because we ate it all. I also do this for my arugula and kale. I just ate the last of my kale a couple of days ago and it was harvested from the fall/winter garden back in March.
Nice video. Regarding the petunias. Do you use them for tea? And how would you describe the flavor? You youse any flower bed variety of petunias for tea? Thank you for all the hard work.
Thank you! You have to research which varieties are edible not all are! These are cosmic cherry petunias from baker creek and are edible. I haven’t tried yet, but Ive been told when made into a simple syrup it resembles a cherry flavor!☺️
When it comes to the lettuce, can't you just freeze dry it since you have one of those (I don't) or dehydrate the leaves and turn it into a powder? You can put it with some of the other vegetables that you powder and get the nutrients from it and not just giving it to the pigs. I did that one year when I had a bunch. Also, when it comes to the carrots, what is the texture like after freezing them? I froze some once and then ended up throwing them away. They weren't home grown, just baby carrots from the store that I got a deal on and just put in freezer in the bag. I did see that you blanched and then put into an ice bath, which I didn't do. How do you use the frozen carrots?
What types of projects do you use your dried flowers for, specifically the petunias? I know many flowers have medicinal properties, but I'm new to all of this and would love to hear how you use them!
Not all petunias are edible but this variety is, I’m going to attempt a simple syrup for baking and drinks! The other flowers I’ll use in teas, salves and soaps!
Thank you ☺️ I’m a by the book canner and I don’t believe that’s a tested way of canning, so I’d personally not try that method. I appreciate the suggestion!
Is there a way to preserve green beans so they keep there crispness? I never was a fan of canned green beans, I have never caned veg, so I am assuming they come out like a regular canned veg. I need a little education!😊
Not a safe way to can that I know of. Sometimes variety can play a part and freshness. I don’t think they come out super mushy but you might like the results of blanched and frozen better!
@@Julie-ci9ve so the trick is to blanch huh? Never ever would I have thought to do that! Thanks so much!!😁👍🏻 PS: is that why she balances the celery??!
Blanching stops the enzyme action that makes veggies lose their texture and flavor. The only veggies I don't blanch before freezing are onions and peppers. It is definitely worth the extra step!
A bit but I haven't done enough research yet. They are still fairly new and I'd like to see some 3rd party testing done. If I were to buy one it would be the Presto, but so far I don't think any 3rd party testing results have been released. I believe Oregon State was running tests!
I love these videos! Can I ask why you choose to blanch things like carrots/celery then freeze vs just flash freezing? I’m just curious if your way is better!
Thank you! You will always get a better result by blanching certain produce. It stops a certain enzyme that would degrade flavor, nutrients and color over time. Hope this helps!
Hi Kelsey🙂 Isn’t it satisfying? I really like the celery thing. I buy it and I end up tossing it out because I don’t use it fast enough. I think I will get a bunch from the farmers market and preserve it for myself. It just adds so much flavour to everything. I do the grated carrot thing and it’s just the best. I am always tossing handfuls of them into whatever suits my fancy. I am a trash cook, so I just walk around here tossing stuff into a pot and living on it for a couple of days, and sometimes freezing it for when I’m too lazy even for a trash pot. Lol. What do you do with the petunias?
I love tossing random stuff together! It’s the best and sometimes creates the most delicious things ☺️ I’m going to attempt a simple syrup with the petunias!
@@katieauth8979 Sure thing! The blossoms should be picked at peak and will have a sticky resin on them! Your fingers will actually stick together a bit. I stay away from picking buds and spent blooms. Hope this helps!
Grow for yourself and give the overflow to the community for free. The Lord looks after us, there is no reason to save food. Only when you don't trust you will go for this kind of actions. ❤
We kept our old fridge in the basement just for produce. I finished last year's carrots last month, and they were still perfect. I also don't like canned carrots, so I was thrilled to discover they could last in the fridge by doing nothing but chopping the greens and tossing in a grocery bag.
Oh how awesome! I so wish I had room for another fridge! Great tip, thank you! ❤️
That's exactly how I store mine. Still working on last year's harvest of 170 pounds. I haven't had to purchase a carrot in a couple of decades. Store cabbages and leeks the same way, although I wrap my cabbages in saran wrap thoroughly.
@@SandraMalone-pq4mnAND4 AND Z9P Pp
Hi …I noticed the fly sticky trap hanging by your sink,……I worked in a restaurant and we of coarse had flys with a open patio in back by the kitchen…..the health dept made us take them down because they give off a toxic chemical…..they said. So we had to put up plastic bags with some water and some copper pennies to keep flys away….we also took plastic containers and put some raw hamburger or sweet fruit and poked some holes for the flys to get in it…they’d drown in the soapy water in the bottom…..then we just threw the recycled container away and made fresh every couple of days…..gnats we’re really bad around the outside bar because of pop and beer spills……the old trap for that is a dish of red wine or vinegar with a little soap in it….and bleach in sink traps because they reproduce quickly in them
Just a suggestion for your mice problem in the garage that I learned from my dear dad:
If you have a radio playing music at all times 24/7/365 you won’t have a rodent problem. They don’t like the noise and thus won’t cone to live there. After my dad passed I turned off the radio and rodents came back. The radio went back on again and has been on ever since.
I love Thomas the Tank Engine in the background. My boys loved those toys growing up.
😂 there are sooo many Thomas toys around here! Both my kids love it!
Our daughter grew up watching all the Thomas the Tank Engine videos, and also had the track and trains! Such healthy creative play.
For salad I used the paper towel method and a variation of it so 2 comments:
- I spin the salad to make sure it as dry as possible before I roll it out
- I used both paper towels and fabric kitchen towel. The fabric works great too!!!
If you need to keep it even longer you can roll it up and put it in a freezer bag, that works too
Whew, lots of work. Great job. Thank you Val C
Thanks so much Val, blessings 🤍
For lettuce I personally wash and wrap it in clean dish cloths before putting it in an air-tight container. So its basically the same idea just costs less since I'm using reusable items.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Kelsey. First time visitor here - I enjoy the more informal "being in the kitchen together" kinda feeling so thanks for sharing :) Best wishes
Welcome! Thanks for joining me here ☺️
@@seedandsparrowhomestead Thank you :) I will be coming back for sure!
I love the idea of steam blanching!!! Saves more nutrients
Absolutely! Thanks for watching, blessings 🤍
I use a muslin lettuce bag. Wash it- leave it moist -dampen your bag and put in the fridge. Don’t let your bag dry out.
Great tip! Thank you ☺️
So, would you show how you process your flowers? This is new to me, but I'm very interested. Thank you.
I don't like canned carrots either what I started doing was a little bit of beef bouillon and dried sweet onions they come out absolutely delicious
Thank you for sharing all of your food preservation methods. I really enjoyed this video. We have a freeze dryer and love it.
Absolutely! Thanks for watching ☺️ The freeze dryer is such a blessing!
steam blanching so smart. Never would have thought of that. thank you. I love freezer meals
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 🤍
I wash my lettuce in ice cold water. Spin it dryThen I put it in a plastic container with kitchen paper at the bottom seal it up and put it in the fridge. Works a treat.
How long do you find it lasts for? I'd love to not use paper towels!
@@seedandsparrowhomestead you could use a clean reusable cloth. It lasts at least a couple of weeks but we eat our way through it.
@@karenfisher7753 Perfect, thank you!!
50-100 mg of zinc in the Doreen beans keeps them lovely and green
Beautiful preserves😊
Thank you ☺️
Great video, love it. Blessings.
Thank you ☺️ 🤍
I am so looking forward to harvesting season. We are still a month to go yet for most things. Really enjoyed this video. Thanks so much for sharing 🇨🇦🌷
I’m so glad you enjoyed! It will be here so soon! Blessings 🤍
What a lot of work, just to coordinate all that preserving. I really loved your video! This is my first year with a freeze dryer and a canner. I don’t preserve as much as you, but I do feel very “accomplished”, and blessed, for everything I have preserved. I must be doing something right as I am going to pick up a second shelving unit tomorrow! 😂
I chuckled at the “second shelving unit” that is so relatable! You’re doing fantastic! No matter how much or little, it’s an accomplishment and one to feel proud of. What a gift. Thanks for watching, blessings 🤍
I make bags of onion carrots and celery and freeze I think it’s called mirepoix for soups stews chilli and pasta as I always over purchase.
Oh awesome! Thats a great idea, thank you!
Just found your channel and absolutely love it.❤❤❤❤
Thank you and Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here ☺️🤍
Wow. Amazing!
☺️🤍
WOW, so much great information! Thank you! 😊
I’m so glad it was helpful! Thank you ☺️
You do such beautiful work. I really enjoy your videos.
That means so much to me, thank you!! ☺️
Congratulations on your harvest! Great video as always and really helpful, thank you :)
I flash freeze celery, chopped onions and chopped peppers and keep in large bags then just grab out what I. need for recipes. Great video❤
Perfect for grab and go ingredients! Make preparing meals a breeze, thanks for watching and sharing ☺️❤️
That is how I always do my lettuce and it lasts for quite some time.
Oh good to know! Thank you ❤️
So greatful for you and your family, what a wonderful video
Aww thank you! I’m grateful you’re here, blessings to you and yours! ❤️❤️❤️
Try putting your carrots in a simple vinegar pickle and water bath can. I use 1 cup of vinegar for every 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. When I need to use them I drain them, rinse them, and add them to what ever meal I'm preparing.
Oh interesting! I might do that and just make them and store In The fridge to try! Thank you!
Another way to preserve your lettuce is to pull the entire plant, including the root ball and store it in the fridge in a bowl with water on the bottom to keep the roots alive.
Oh good idea!!!
Oh the beets looks amazing, I might try this recipe
There are so yummy! Great to quick whip up some red beet eggs!
@@seedandsparrowhomestead what are red beet eggs 🤔
I love the snow princess variety! My daughter picked them to grow this year and the heads are kind of tiny but very pretty!
Ive put it into a half gallon jar used my foid saver ti remive oxygen it lasts a ling time
I cannot wait to get a freeze dryer. So many possibilities. The flowers especially are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
It’s such a great investment and I’m so thankful we were able to purchase one! Thank you for watching! ❤️❤️❤️
😊
I need your help 😂my garden is hopeless I'm in eastern pa lol
What do you do with the dried petunias and yarrow flowers? I assumed when you picked them, they were destined for decorating a salad but no - you freeze dried them and I'm so curious. How do you clean your nut bags after using them? I suppose washing machine but just wondered. Thank you so much for your videos - such inspiration!
You're the busy little ant at SandS Homestead gathering food for the winter for your family like the Proverbs 31 woman, spouse and mother that you are!
The freeze dried flowers are so beautiful. I wish I could justify the cost of a freeze dryer, but I can't just for the 2 of us!
I'm so glad you shared a way to preserve celery, I've got some growing and wasn't sure what i should do to preserve it. Does it come back or does it have to be planted every year?
Kelsey, have you checked the cost of 1/2 gallon jars through Azure?
Y'all are living a very blessed life Kelsey!! ♥
Awww thank you friend! The freeze dryer was a hefty investment, I can understand the wisdom in refraining from purchasing one if it won’t be used a great deal. It’s been a great tool for us here.
Celery is an annual and must be started again each spring. I like to start it indoors for an early harvest. I’ll look into Azure, hadn’t thought of that! Thank you again. ☺️🤍🤍🤍
Another good one to encourage me in my current preserving state which looks much like yours minus the freeze drying, i do not have one yet. I'd be interested in hearing more about your diet and what type of things you are eating. If thats not a direction you want to go i understand. Many blessings!
we do not peal our carrots, do you know of a quick way to clean each carrot?
What do you use the flowers for?
You’re an inspiration! Thank you for sharing all of your tips and tricks. I’m new to pressure canning, and also feeling nervous and out of my depth. So thank your for all the info. I’m interested in the salves and soaps you’ll be making with your flowers. Will that possibly be in a future video? 😊
Thank you Erin! You can do it! I have an in depth look at pressure canning a ways back If that helps! I know it’s intimidating at first. Once you get started and learn to trust yourself and trust the canner it’s a breeze. You bet! I’ll have lots of salves and soaps making happening closer to the fall when the garden settles down ☺️
@@seedandsparrowhomestead thank you! Looking forward to more videos! I enjoy your channel and Jessica’s from Three Rivers Homestead. Happy canning!
@@erinr86 Oh she is a fav of mine too!
I just found your channel. It's lovely. I have learned a few new things! So why can't you eat the lettuce ? Just curious : )
Thank you so much ☺️ A few videos back I shared some health struggles and an anti inflammatory diet I’m on to start addressing the issues 🤍
The flowers look amazing and I was very surprised to hear you say that the scent was still strong. What an amazing tool the freeze dryer is. I am very excited to give mine a try very soon. The beets were so pretty.
A lot was accomplished from your harvest Kelsey. Well done!
That freeze dryer is such a blessing! I was surprised when I opened the door and was hit with the scents of those flowers! It was powerful. Thank you friend, Blessings!
I preserved my lettuce exactly as you are doing with no problems, although, it only lasted a month at best because we ate it all. I also do this for my arugula and kale. I just ate the last of my kale a couple of days ago and it was harvested from the fall/winter garden back in March.
Awesome! Glad to hear it will keep for at least that long! Thank you ☺️
Hi, Kelsey 🙂Is your freeze dryer Harvest Right?
Yes it is! We love it 😊
Nice video. Regarding the petunias. Do you use them for tea? And how would you describe the flavor? You youse any flower bed variety of petunias for tea?
Thank you for all the hard work.
Thank you! You have to research which varieties are edible not all are! These are cosmic cherry petunias from baker creek and are edible. I haven’t tried yet, but Ive been told when made into a simple syrup it resembles a cherry flavor!☺️
Thank you very much for the information. I have petunias in my front yard every year. I will try the Baker Creek variety.
When it comes to the lettuce, can't you just freeze dry it since you have one of those (I don't) or dehydrate the leaves and turn it into a powder? You can put it with some of the other vegetables that you powder and get the nutrients from it and not just giving it to the pigs. I did that one year when I had a bunch. Also, when it comes to the carrots, what is the texture like after freezing them? I froze some once and then ended up throwing them away. They weren't home grown, just baby carrots from the store that I got a deal on and just put in freezer in the bag. I did see that you blanched and then put into an ice bath, which I didn't do. How do you use the frozen carrots?
What types of projects do you use your dried flowers for, specifically the petunias? I know many flowers have medicinal properties, but I'm new to all of this and would love to hear how you use them!
Not all petunias are edible but this variety is, I’m going to attempt a simple syrup for baking and drinks! The other flowers I’ll use in teas, salves and soaps!
Great video, have you thought about dry canning your carrots?
Thank you ☺️ I’m a by the book canner and I don’t believe that’s a tested way of canning, so I’d personally not try that method. I appreciate the suggestion!
What do you make out of your flowers?
Teas, salves, and for soaps ☺️
What projects do you do with the freeze-dried flowers?
Teas, salves, soaps and maybe some tinctures ☺️
@@seedandsparrowhomestead OOOHHHH!! Now you're giving me ideas...
Is there a way to preserve green beans so they keep there crispness? I never was a fan of canned green beans, I have never caned veg, so I am assuming they come out like a regular canned veg. I need a little education!😊
Not a safe way to can that I know of. Sometimes variety can play a part and freshness. I don’t think they come out super mushy but you might like the results of blanched and frozen better!
Blanch and freeze will retain the flavor and crunch. They honestly taste like they were just picked.
@@Julie-ci9ve so the trick is to blanch huh? Never ever would I have thought to do that! Thanks so much!!😁👍🏻
PS: is that why she balances the celery??!
Blanching stops the enzyme action that makes veggies lose their texture and flavor. The only veggies I don't blanch before freezing are onions and peppers. It is definitely worth the extra step!
What do you do with the flowers?
Teas, tincture, salves, soaps and beauty products!
Have you thought about getting an electric pressure canner?
A bit but I haven't done enough research yet. They are still fairly new and I'd like to see some 3rd party testing done. If I were to buy one it would be the Presto, but so far I don't think any 3rd party testing results have been released. I believe Oregon State was running tests!
I love these videos! Can I ask why you choose to blanch things like carrots/celery then freeze vs just flash freezing? I’m just curious if your way is better!
Thank you! You will always get a better result by blanching certain produce. It stops a certain enzyme that would degrade flavor, nutrients and color over time. Hope this helps!
why are you freeze drying petunias?
Hi Kelsey🙂 Isn’t it satisfying? I really like the celery thing. I buy it and I end up tossing it out because I don’t use it fast enough. I think I will get a bunch from the farmers market and preserve it for myself. It just adds so much flavour to everything. I do the grated carrot thing and it’s just the best. I am always tossing handfuls of them into whatever suits my fancy. I am a trash cook, so I just walk around here tossing stuff into a pot and living on it for a couple of days, and sometimes freezing it for when I’m too lazy even for a trash pot. Lol. What do you do with the petunias?
I love tossing random stuff together! It’s the best and sometimes creates the most delicious things ☺️ I’m going to attempt a simple syrup with the petunias!
Amen
❤️❤️❤️
Hi
❤️❤️❤️
Wash and Break up the lettuce and put it in glass jars. It will last a long time
How will you use the calendula?
Salves and soaps!
@@seedandsparrowhomestead thanks for replying. Do you harvest them at a certain time? Ie. As soon as they open vs when they are almost spent ?
@@katieauth8979 Sure thing! The blossoms should be picked at peak and will have a sticky resin on them! Your fingers will actually stick together a bit. I stay away from picking buds and spent blooms. Hope this helps!
Psalm 34:8
🤍🤍🤍
Grow for yourself and give the overflow to the community for free. The Lord looks after us, there is no reason to save food. Only when you don't trust you will go for this kind of actions. ❤